Windshield cleaner



.game 12, 1928. 1,673,742 F. G. FOLBERTH ET AL W'INDSHIELD CLEANERv Original Filed Oct. 17, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l @H501 umg June 12, 1928.

F. G. FOLBERTH ET AL WINDSHIELD CLEANER Original Filed Oct. 17, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1,673,742 F. G. FOLBERTH ET Al.

WINDSHIELD CLEANER Original Filed 0G13. 17, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 `lune 12, 1928.

Patented June 12,1923.

UNITED STATES PATENTn OFFICE.

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTH AND WILLIAM FOLBERTH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, AS-

SIGNORS TO TRIGO PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW YORK.

WINDSHIELD CLEANER.

Original application led October 17, 1924; Serial No. 744,269. Divided and this application iiled April 20, 1925. Seria1 No. 24,602.

This invention relates to windshield cleaners, and more particularly to improvements in suction motors employed in connection with windshield cleaners of the type described and claimed in the patent to William M. Folberth, granted February 7, 1922, No. 1,405,773.

An object of the present invention iS the provision of means for retaining the cleaner arm of a windshield cleaner in raised position at the end of a stroke when the cleaner motor is cut off or disconnected from its source,

Heretofore, the weight of the cleaner element and the cleaner arm has had a tendency to move the cleaner arm downwardly from its position at the top of the arc to a substantially vertical position in the line of vision of the driver.

In the present invention, we provide elastic means connected to a movable part of the motor and adapted to be placed under tension during the downward movement of the cleaner arm. whereby said elastic means will retain the cleaner arm in a raised position when the motor is at rest.

In this application, there is also disclosed a type of valve shifting mechanism wherein a floating lever adapted to shift its pivot during the operation of the motor is employed. The valve shifting mechanism herein described and not claimed forms the subject matter of our copending application for windshield cleaners, filed October 17, 1924, Serial No. 744,269, thc present application being a division thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown several embodiments of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the motor and cleaner' arm assembled,

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional View of the cleancr'in position on a windshield,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional line 3 3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4c is a similar view on line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is.' a horizontal sectional view substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a view of a part of the motor in the same plane as Figure 4, showing the view on valve and the valve shifting mechanism in its other alternate position, f

'Figure 7 is a detail view of the valve and valve shifting mechanism disassembled,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a closure plate on which the valve mechanism is assembled,

Figure 9 is'a view similar to Figure 2 showing another form of valve shifting mechanism and arm retainer,

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the modified form of the means for retaining the cleaner arm in raised position as disclosed in Fig. 9, and,

Figure 11 is a detailed disassembled view of the valve and valve actuating mechanism shown in Figure 9 of the drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 to 8 of the dra-wings, the reference'numeral 1 desi ates a windshield of `a motor vehicle formed of glass or other transparent material and mounted in a suitable frame 2. The windshield cleaner consists of a. motor 3, adapted to be arranged on the windshield frame, and secured thereto in any suitable manner. The motor is provided with a transverse shaft 4 which extends through the frame and a cleaner arm 5 is arranged adjacent the outer end thereof. This cleaner arm is provided with a holder 6 on its lower end adapted to receive a cleaner element consisting of a back strip 7 of metal or other rigid material and a strip of rubber 8 which is adapted to contact with the surface of the windshield to be cleaned (see Figure 2). The motor shaft also extends from the inner side of the motor casingand is provided with a handle 9 to permit manual operation.

More particularly, the motor is formed of two substantially cup-like sections 10 which may be formed of drawn sheet metal and whichare provided with flared inner ends 11. As shown, the outer end s of the sections are closed, as at 12, formlng the heads 'of the cylinder, and the inner ends are adapted to be secured to each other to form a cylinder. A closure plate 1 3 is arranged adjacent the junction of the inner ends of the two sections of the cylinder and this i closure plate is curved in cross section (see Figures 1 and 8) and is adapted to extend partially around the cylinder. The inner face of the closure plate is provided with an enlargement 14 adapted to form a support for the valve and valve operating mechanism. A band 15 of resilient material is secured to the upper and lower edges of the closure plate, and encircles the-meeting edges of the cylinder sections to secure them to each other As shown, this band is provided with a V-shaped groove 16 in its inner face, adapted to receive the flared ends 11 of the cylinder sections. The outer face of the closure member is provided with a substantially T-shaped rib or boss 17 and the upper end of the clamp is enlar ed, as at 18, and secured tothe top ofthis ri by means of screws 19. The lower end of the band is provided with openings adapted to receive lugs 2O pojectmg from the face of the closure p ate.

A pair of pistons are mounted within the cylinder and retained in spaced relation. As shown, each piston consists of a pair of disks 21 of metal or other rigid material.

These disks are slightly smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the cylinder and a sheet of packing 22 is arranged between them. As shown, the sheet of packing is larger in diameter than the cylmder, forming a skirt 23. The pistons are connected to each other by a connecting member 24, which is preferably formed of sheet metal and is provided with ends 25 extending at an angle to the body of the connecting member. Screws 26 are arranged in openings in the disks 21 and the en'ds 25 of the connecting member. As shown, the connecting member is provided with spaced openings 27 and is adapted to serve as a rack in transferring the movement of the pistons to the shaft. An arcuate shapedpplate 28 is arranged on the shaft and this plate is provided with teeth 29 forming a segmental gear adapted to mesh with the teeth 27 of the rack. As shown, the portion of the plate above the shaft is extended parallel to the shaft, as at 30 (see Figure'2) and is then provided with a downwardly .extending portion 31 having an opening for the passagev of the shaft by means of which the gear 1s provided with a double bearing.

The enlargement 14 on the inner face of the closure plate is provided with an i11- wardly extending sleeve 32, forming a bearing for the shaft, and the shaft extends through an opening 33 formed in this sleeve and passing through the closure late. The other end of the shaft is receive in a bearing 34, formed in the ends of the cylinder sections and a collar or spacing member 35 is arranged on the shaft between the extension 31 of the segmental gear and the cylinder wall (see Figure 2).

The opposite ends of the cylinder are adapted to be connected to a source of suction by means of passages extending through the closure plate. As shown, the closure plate is provided with a main suction passage 36 having a tube 37 arranged therein and the end of this tube is adapted to be connected to a source of suction, such as the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine (not shown) by means of a suitable conduit (not shown). As shown, the main suction passage extends transversely of the T-shaped rib on the exterior of the closure plate or longitudinally of the cylinder. The end of this passage communicates with an inclined passage 38 extending inwardly to the inner face of the enlargement 14 (see Figures 2 and 8). Suitable means are provided for manually controlling the passage of fluid through the passages 36 and 38. An inclined passage is formed in the T- shaped rib adjacent the point of communication between the passages 36 and 38 and this inclined passage is internally threaded for the reception of a valve stem 39. The inner end of the valve stem is provided with a valve member 40, adapted to engage a seat formed at the junction of the passages 36 and 38 to permit these passages to be disconnected from each other. The outer end of the valve stem is provided with a suitable handle 41 and a spring 42 is arranged on the valve stem. A cylinder passage 43 is arranged on each side of the suction passage 38 and these passages extend outwardly in a substantially horizontal plane, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 of the drawings. The outer ends of these passages are connected to longitudinally extendlng passages in lthe T-shaped rib and suitable tubes or conduits 44 which extend longitudinally of the cylinders and are connected to the opposite ends of the cylinders through openings 45, arranged adjacent each end. The piston is caused to reciprocate by the alternate application of Huid pressure to the opposite 'sides thereof, such application being effected through the intermediary of a motor reversing or power switching mechanism, which in the present instance is shown as a valve actuating mechanism.

The valve actuating mechanism consists of a lever 46 which is substantially semicircular in shape to fit around the sleeve 32 'and whichv is pivotally mounted on the sleeve.' As shown, the sleeve is provided with a rib 47 on its upper side, having a groove 48 formed therein. The forward end of this groove is closed by a block 49. The valve actuating lever is provided with a loop 50 at its upper end and the end of this loop is arranged parallel to the body portion, as at 51. These parallel portions -are provided with depending members 52 having rounded lower ends adapted to fit in the groove 48 to pivotally support the lever. The lower end of the lever is provided with a depending arm 53 adapted to engage spaced pins 54 carried on the face of the segmental gear. A substantially cup-shaped one of the arms 58 of a substantially U- lli) shaped valve supporting member. The base of the valve supporting member is provided with depending arms 59 adapted to engage a pin 60 carried on the face of the enlargement to limit the movement of the valve. The pin 60 is preferably formed of rawhide, or other non-metallic material. to reduce the noise occasioned by the shifting of the valves. The upper ends of the arms 58 are pointed, as at 61, and are adapted to be received in grooves 62 formed in enlargements 63 on the bottom of the sleeve 32, to pivotally support thev valve supporting member. The valve supporting member and the valve actuating lever 46 are connected to each other by means of a coil spring and a Heating lever. As shown, the iloating lever consists of a`substantial1y semi-cylindrical .member 64 adapted to fit around the sleeve 14 provided with an opening 65 adjacent its upper end. The upper end of the valve supporting mem-ber and the arm 51 arranged parallel thereto are f provided with alined notches 66 adapted to receive the reduced ends 67 of a roller 68. One end of this roller pas-sesthrough the opening 65 in the. floating lever and the body portion of the roller retains the lever in the desired vertical plane (see Figure 2). The upper end of the floating lever is provided with an arm or extension 69 recelved in a cut out portion in the closure plate. The end of this cut out portion forms shbulders 70 which are engaged bythe arm 69 to control theA movement of the floating lever. The lower end of the floating lever is provided with a notch 7l adapted to receive one end of a coil sprfng 72 and the opposite end of this spring is connected to the base ofthe U-shaped valve supporting member. v

Means are provided for retaining the cleaner arm in raised positions at the endof a stroke, when the motor is cut ofi'. As shown, a pin 73 extends from the arm 31 of the body portion of the segmental gear and this pin passes through a substantially ellptical-shaped member 74. The pin is secured to the elliptical-shaped member on one of its long sides and at a point directly opposite, a coil spring 75 is connected thereto and the other end of this spring is connected to a pro'ection 76, formed on the upper portion 6 the cylinder wall.

p same.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 9 to 11 of the drawings, theI construction and operation is essentially the The construction of the motor casing, closure plate, shaft and segmental gear are the same as that heretofore described, and the same reference numerals, each modified by a prime mark, are employed to designate the various parts. In place of the valve actuating leverv46, we employ a lever' 77 which is also substantially semi-cylindrical to tit around the sleeve 32 and which is provided with a depending lower. end 78 to engage pins on l.gear 28 similar to the pins 54. The upper end of the valve actuating lever is provided with a loop 79 similar to the loop 50 and is furtherv provided lwith an extension 80 arallel to the body portion. Between thc` 1gody portion of the lever and the extension 80, there is provided an arm 81 extending at right angles to the body portion and having a depending end 82 arranged parallel to the body portion and the eX- /tension 80 and disposed between them (see Figure 9). In ,place of the roller 68, we employ a pin 83 `adapted to pass through alined openingsin the body portion of the lever, the depending end 82 and the extension 80. The floating lever 64 is arranged between the parts 8O and 82, as shown in Figure 9 of4 the drawings, with the pin 83 passing through the o ening 65' and these parts serve to proper y space'the floating lever and retain it in the desired plane.

The modified showing also embodies a diilerent form of means for retaining the cleaner arm in raised position when the motor is cut off. This means is shown more clearly in Fig. l0 wherein the extension 31 of the segmental gear is provided with an opening ad3acent its lower end, adapted to receive one end 84 of a spring. The spring consists of resilient arms 84 and 85 connected to each other by a loop or coil 86. The arm 85 is secured to the top of the motor casing, as at 87.

In the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures l to 8 ofthe drawings, the tube 37 is adapted to be connected to a Suitable source of suction and the Valve 55 is adapted to be shifted by the movement of the pistons in the cylinder to alternately place the opposite ends of the cylinder in communication with the source of suction. With the parts in the position shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, the left end of the cylinder is in communication with a source of suction and the pistons are moving to the left. At the end of a stroke, the valve is shifted to cover the central suction passage 38 and the right cylinder passage 43 to place the opposite end of the cylinder in communication with the source of suction.

In Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, the valve is in the same position as in Figure 5,

connecting the left end of the cylinder to the source of suction. The position of the pistons and segmental gear in Figures 4 and 5 is at the end of a stroke just after the valve has shifted. IVhen the pistons begin the movement toward the left end of the cylinder, the ,segmental gear 28 oscillates in a clockwise direction. The pin 54,which has just moved the valve actuating member 46 to its present position, moves away from this -member and the pin 54 to the right of the center of the segmental gear approaches the valve actuating member as the stroke is continued. Adjacent the end of the stroke, the pin 54 contacts with the lower end 53 of the valve actuating lever. lever, being pivoted in the groove 48, swings on its pivot. As the floating lever 64 is connected to the valve actuating lever by means of the roller 67, the uppei` end of this lever moves from the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, in engagement with the left stop to the position shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, in engagement with the right stop 70. It will be noted that the leverage exerted is in proportion to the distance from the pin 54 to the groove 58 on one side of the fulcrum, and from the groove 48 to the roller 68 on the other side of the fulcrum. This affords a great lever-A age during the movement of the valve actuating member to a substantially central position during which time energy is stored in the spring 72. At the upper end of theA floating lever is swung'to the right by the valve actuating lever, the lower end moves toward the right and upwardly, placing the spring under tension. Atthe time that the valve actuating lever passes the central position, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, the movement of the floating lever is arrested by the shoulder 70. The leverage exerted on the spring is then decreased or is in proportion to the length of the valve actuating lever to the length of the valve supporting member. At this time, the energy employed in shifting the valve supporting member has been stored in the spring and the greater leverage is no longer necessary. Further movement of the valve actuating member toward the left causes the valve supporting member to swing toward the right with the upper end, thereof, serving as a pivot. and as the lower end moves the spring beyond the center, the valve is shifted to the right. The pistons then begin traveling in 'the opposite direction and at the end of thestroke, the sameaction is repeated.

kThe member 74, shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, swings with the shaft as it is oscillated and at the end of each stroke, the parts are in the position shown in Figure 3 or in a similar position on the opposite side of the shaft. Heretofore, there has been a The valve actuating tendency for the cleaner arm to move downwardly from the position shown in Figure 1 of the'drawings, to the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, due to the weight of this member and its associated parts. In order to move downwardly in the present construction, it is necessary to exert suflicient force to place the spring under tension, and by properly proportioning the 'strength of the spring movement of the cleaner arm, is prevented. It will also be noted that this member tends to assist in the equal distribution of energy throughout the stroke of the piston. During the first part of the stroke of the piston, no energy'is being stored in the spring 72 and the only force being expended by the cleaner is the force necessary to move the blade 8 over the surface of the windshield. When the spring 75 is employed, it is also necessary for the motor to place this spring under tension during the first part of the stroke. During the latter part of the stroke when energy is being stored in the spring 72 of the valve actuating mechanism, the energy stored in the spring 75 during the first part of the stroke is released, and the movement of the pistons is thus equalized.

In the form of the invention shown in Fi gures 9 to l1Y of the drawings, the operation of the valve actuating member is essentially the same as that heretofore described. In this form of the invention, a pin 83 of substantially uniform diameter throughout is employed in place of the roller 68 and the extension 82 is employed for the purpose of maintaining the floating lever in the desired vertical plane. The spring 84 also functions in the same manner as the spring 75, exerting an upward pull when the cleaner blade is at the end of a stroke and tending to hold it in this position if the motor is cut off.

In both forms of the invention, the provision of means whereby a great amount of leverage is obtained during the initial movement of the valve actuating member when energy is being stored in the spring 72 (72') and the leverage ratio reduced after the energy has been stored and just before the movement of the spring and valve is a decided improvement in view of the fact that the amount of power available for the operation of a windshield cleaner motor is limited and at times, when the engine of the vehicle is laboring under a load and the throttle valve is wide open, the vacuum in the manifold and the energy available for the operation of the cleaner motor is reduced to practically zero. Under such conditions. the cleaner motor has a tendency to slow down and by increasing the leverage employed for storing energy in the spring 72 (72'). this tendency may be partially, if not wholly, overcome.

It is to be understood that the forms of our invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Ve claim:

l. Ina windshield cleaner comprising a motor with a shaft, a cleaner element adapted to be oscillated thereby in an arc of a circle, a spring connected to a movable partof the motor and adapted to be placed under tension during the initial portion of each stroke of the cleaner element whereby said spring will urge said cleaner arm to its adjacent terminal position and retain it thereat when the motor is at rest.

2. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor having an oscillatory shaft, a cleaner element connected to the shaft to be oscillated thereby, and means connected to a moving part of the motor to yieldably rev tain the cleaner element at either limit of its movement, said means opposing the initial movement of each stroke of the cleaner element whereby energy will be stored up during such initial portion of' each stroke for subsequent expenditure during the final portion of each stroke of the cleaner element.

3. In a Windshield clearner havingamotor, an oscillating shaft driven by said motor, and a cleaner element operatively connected to said shaft to oscillate therewith, spring means having a fixed support and connected to said shaft to oppose yieldably the initial movement thereof 1n either direction of oscillation, said spring means adapted to retain the cleaner element in a horizontal position when the motor is at rest.

4. In a windshield cleaner havingamotor, an oscillating shaft driven by said motor, and a cleaner element operatively connected -to said shaft to oscillate therewith, a member connected to said shaft, and elastic means connected to said member and to a ixed part of the motor to retain said cleaner element at either limit of travel when the motor is at rest.

5. A Windshield cleaner `comprising a cleaner element, means for moving the same back -and forth over the glass of a Windshield, and energy-storing and expending means operable.` by and during movement of said cleaner element -to have energy stored up therein by .said first means during the initial portion of each movementof said cleaner element in either direction thereof, for urging said cleaner element to and retaining the saine at its adjacent limit of travel when the first means comes to rest.

6. In a windshield cleaner, a cleaner element, a fluid pressure motor for operating the same back and forthl over the glass of a windshield, said motor embodying a reciprocatory piston and a'snap action valve mechanism -adapted to be snapped from either of two operative positions as the pis ton approaches its limits of travel for re-` versing the application of fluid pressure to said piston, and a spring device supported by a. part ofthe motor and acting to urge the cleaner element to its adjacent limit of its travel when the motor is inoperative and to accelerate the final portion of each stroke of the cleaner element when the motor isl operative.

7. In a windshield cleaner, a cleaner element, a motor for operating the same back and forth over a windshield glass and embodying an oscillatory shaft, a motor reversing mechanism operable from a moving part of the motor to reverse said motor each time the shaft approaches the respective one of its limits of movement, and a spring device acting on the shaft to oppose the initial portion of each movement of the.

shaft and to give an added impetus to the final portion of each shaft movement when the motor reversing mechanism is being op-y erated.

In testlmony whereof, we aiiix our signatures.

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTH. WILLIAM M. FOLBERTH. 

